Communicator, writer, blogger from the beginning, and podcaster shortly after that.
Measurement
AVE and vanity metrics still haunt PR dashboards, despite years of critique. In this post, I reflect on the FIR Interview with Richard Bagnall and why a generational shift may be needed to change the narrative - starting with 22 reasons to say no to AVE.
Life Lessons
After days of troubleshooting my portable AC setup, the right fix came from an unexpected source: my 8-year-old granddaughter. Her simple, no-fuss solution reminded me how often we overlook the obvious.
Communication
I've used the word "authenticity" often – perhaps too often. A provocative read by Jess Zafarris made me rethink what it really means. When everything sounds authentic, we stop noticing what actually is. It's time to be more intentional.
Social Networks
X may no longer be a good place to engage, but is it still worth listening in? I reflect on why I stopped using X, what's changed since, and whether communicators should reconsider their stance in 2025.
Artificial Intelligence
Pope Leo XIV is making AI ethics a core focus of his papacy. This post explores what that means for all of us – and why communicators have a strategic role to play in shaping the narrative around AI, regulation, and digital responsibility.
Bluesky
Bluesky’s critics may be missing the point. It’s more than just an app – it’s a decentralised ecosystem aiming to reshape social media. Here’s why the backlash might be looking in the wrong direction.
IABC
More than a decade after leaving IABC, I still care. A recent post on LinkedIn stirred memories and concern. If IABC doesn't live by the values it promotes, it risks losing more than members. It risks losing its purpose and relevance.
Society
As deportation raids surge in the US, vulnerable communities are turning to mobile apps for safety and support. This post explores how these digital tools offer protection — and why similar responses haven’t emerged in the UK or EU.
Asides
I’ve walked past them countless times without seeing them – two old plaques on a wall. Then one day, I actually looked… and fell headfirst into six centuries of local history, hidden in plain sight.
Artificial Intelligence
There’s much to unpack in Mary Meeker’s new AI Trends report – and it’s not easy reading unless you’re deep into the subject. This post offers plain-English summaries of the eight core themes and a downloadable, business-friendly guide.
Asides
In late May, time away in Chester and a side trip to Liverpool gave my wife and me moments to explore two very different cathedrals. One wrapped us in history and warmth. The other, though grand in scale, left us searching for spirit. Both offered space for reflection.
Innovation
Google’s Veo 3 generates realistic videos from simple text prompts – with sound, dialogue, and cinematic quality – that can mimic news reports and voices in multiple languages with stunning accuracy. A creative leap, or a deepfake disaster waiting to happen?